Life is not without its challenges but also full of blessings. When I hear my son's laughter all those challenges temporarily fade away: and when I think of the unconditional love that we share, I realize what a precious gift that has been bestowed upon me in this lifetime in which I had never imagined would be so magnificent. The one thing that I am sure to tell him every day is that I love him and that he is exactly the way he was meant to be created..He is PERFECT!

Single Moms Raising Autistic Sons

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Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Griffin Talks To A Little Girl......Yipee!

Here is Griffin with his afternoon bus driver she is so sweet and Griffin, she reports,he is always talking to her as she is driving along. Yesterday while I in my therapy appointment my Mom took Griffin to the playground. While they were there Griffin went up to a little girl and asked her what her name was and how old she was then he followed her around through the maze. I was so thrilled to hear this and I am so proud of him because he usually doesn't speak to children but will often speak to adults out in public. It is such a huge step for him to take to do this and I am looking forward to him interacting with children much more frequently.

Lately Griffin has not been doing so well with the toilet training, he hasn't done well since Spring Break I think that the change in schedule threw him off. Now he is totally refusing to go even when he is escorted to the bathroom. I have taken away his privileges and let him know that he could resume playing with the computer or watching tv once he uses the toilet but that doesn't seem to work, he just doesn't seem to care if he gets to do those things or not. So, I wonder if he even understands the whole concept, I told him that he needs to use the toilet like a big boy but it doesn't seem to phase him. He does not respond to rewards such as a treat so I don't know what to do. I am open to ideas and comments on this matter because I am once again stuck . Maybe it is that he just needs to get back into his routine and start using the toilet again in his own time. Maybe I am trying to push him too much. It is so frustrating because I just don't know if I am doing the right thing. Otherwise he is doing really well and his behavior has improved markedly especially since I have been telling him "no yelling" when he raises his voice.

Griffin's IEP/transition meeting is coming up and the parent mentor from the SC Autism Society will be there to help me out. I am looking forward to it because I am excited for him to start school in the fall and hopefully be mainstreamed at least half a day, we shall see how it goes. I have heard wonderful things about the teacher that he will have in the fall and I can't wait to meet with her. She is apparently a stellar educator and outstanding person but her classroom is just a special needs class and is not specific to autism so I think that Griffin will be bored in there and not feel challenged although my assumptions could be wrong. I will keep you posted on how it goes. Tomorrow Ms. A comes to visit and Griffin will have new Spanish words to learn, he can count to 20 in Spanish now and to 100 in English. Did I mention how proud I was of him?

4 comments:

As you should be proud of him :o) He is a truly beautiful, young boy. (But, you already know that!) The potty training is a mystery. It's a battle that can not be won. They do have all the power in the end. Can he go back to pull ups, but be escorted to the bathroom hourly to go? Or reminded to try? Is it totally adversive? If it is, I would let him guide you in the right direction. Hope that helps.

Yeah for Griffin. That is a huge step. Sam doesn't remember any classmates names, I think in most part because he doesn't interact enough with them and doesn't think to ask them their name. Everyone in his class knows his name though. Our IEP yesterday is addressing that also next year for kindergarten, at the teachers suggestion (along with everything else).

Hang in there with the potty training. I think you are doing the best that you can. Our kiddos development is so up and down, and will always be. Some things that stick now, can be lost or forgotten later. We can't control their little minds, but we can control our reactions. Meaning, not that we lower our expectations, but just be prepared to expect that things will change throughout their life, for better for worse, and that it is okay. It is not your fault, nor theirs. For us, we have seen Sam count to 20, and then recently not even be able to count to 10. I get so frustrated and freak out about kindergarten in the fall, but then I have to reframe and be patient, and remember, he did not get to choose the way his brain learns things, but that he is always doing the best that he can at any given moment. Sam too has resorted to some potty issues. Just celebrate with them those successful times. You are a great mom, and you are always doing your best, even when the depression is weighing on you. You always are doing your best at that given time. Smiles and hugs your way.

Griffin is interacting!! Hooray Griffin!! That is so cool Lora you must be thrilled! I have always felt living so close to the Mexican border that Spanish is important to learn. Let him learn all he can it will benefit him in the future for sure!

About Me

This blog has been around since 2005 chronicling Griffin's life experiences and all his progress along the way. I have added bits and pieces about myself as a single mom who adores her son. We have lived a full life thus far and there is much more fun in store.